Your Rent Is Now Building Your Mortgage Score — Here’s What Nobody’s Telling You

How One Buyer Turned a Doctor's Office Into a $1.6 Million Dream Home

In this episode of Rebuild and Rise, I sit down with renovation and construction lending expert Barry Koven to explore how the right financing strategy can unlock opportunities most buyers never see. Barry shares his incredible journey from the music industry to becoming one of the nation's top mortgage professionals and explains how renovation and construction loans are helping people create wealth through real estate. We discuss FHA 203(k), Fannie Mae HomeStyle, VA renovation loans, and the inspiring story of a buyer who transformed an outdated doctor's office near Central Park into a stunning home valued at $1.6 million—creating over $600,000 in equity before moving in. This conversation is packed with practical real estate insights, leadership lessons, and a powerful reminder that sometimes the best opportunities are hidden in places others overlook. If this episode inspired you or helped you see new possibilities in homeownership and real estate investing, don't keep it to yourself. Share it with someone who needs encouragement, guidance, or a fresh perspective on what's possible. Make sure you're subscribed to Rebuild and Rise so you never miss a conversation designed to help you grow in faith, business, leadership, and life.  Follow Micah Smith on Instagram: @micahabigailllc | @rebuildandrisepodcast | @fitcreditdoctor  Follow Barry Koven on Instagram: @therenopro  Learn more: BarryKoven.com  Contact Barry: 833-RENO-NOW  Streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, and wherever you listen to podcasts.  New episodes of Rebuild and Rise drop every Wednesday at 5:00 AM EST.

From Sneaking Out at 1 AM to Financial Freedom: The Truth About the Rebuild

In this episode of Rebuild and Rise, I sit down with author, speaker, coach, and real estate leader Kendra Cooke for a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to rebuild your life from the inside out. Introduced by the incredible Amberly Lago, Kendra and I instantly connected as kindred spirits with a shared passion for helping people rise through life's hardest seasons. We talk about the woman behind the accomplishments—the small-town girl with big dreams, the lessons hidden in heartbreak and setbacks, and the courage it takes to keep showing up when life doesn't go according to plan. Kendra opens up about her journey into leadership, the power of journaling as a tool for healing and clarity, and why success isn't about becoming someone else—it's about rediscovering who you've always been. This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn't built overnight. It's forged through faith, perseverance, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when the path isn't clear. Kendra's story will encourage you to embrace every chapter of your journey and trust that growth often comes from the moments that challenge us the most. If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that they are stronger than they think. Follow the Rebuild and Rise Show for weekly conversations on faith, persistence, leadership, and rebuilding stronger through life's unexpected turns.  Don't forget to subscribe to the channel for more powerful stories of resilience, purpose, and personal growth.  Follow Kendra Cooke on Instagram to stay connected with her journey and the work she's doing to inspire and empower others.  Follow me for more at @micahabigailllc @rebuildandrisepodcast and @fitcreditdoctor on Instagram for financial tips, credit strategies, encouragement, and motivation.  Streaming now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio.  New episodes drop every Wednesday at 5:00 AM EST. #RebuildAndRise #MicahSmith #KendraCooke #FaithOverFear #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #RiseStronger

Weaponizing "Expensive" Money: The Strategic Play for Business Growth

In this episode of the Rebuild and Rise Show, I'm challenging one of the biggest misconceptions I see among business owners: that expensive money is always bad money. For years, I would have looked at a high-interest funding offer and immediately walked away. But what I've learned is that when used with intention and the right strategy, short-term, high-cost capital can become one of the most powerful tools for building a bankable business. I'm taking you behind the scenes of our framework to show you how "expensive" money can be leveraged to pay down personal debt, improve credit scores, strengthen your bank rating, establish business credit, complete lender compliance requirements, and ultimately position you for the long-term financing opportunities you couldn't access before. We'll break down the real numbers, explore the difference between reactive borrowing and strategic borrowing, and uncover why the true cost isn't always the interest rate—sometimes it's staying stuck because you never made the move that could have changed everything. If you've ever said "no" to an opportunity because the terms seemed too costly, this episode will challenge the way you think about leverage, risk, and growth. Because the goal isn't to borrow more—it's to borrow smarter, build strategically, and create a business that rises stronger than before.  Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to keep going and rise again.  Connect with me: @micahabigailllc | @rebuildandrisepodcast | @fitcreditdoctor  Listen now on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio  New episodes every Wednesday at 5:00 AM EST  Visit: micahabigail.com [http://micahabigail.com/]

The Secret Banks Won't Tell You: What It Really Takes to Get Business Funding

In this episode of the Rebuild and Rise Podcast, I tackle one of the most common and costly mistakes business owners make: funding their businesses with personal credit. While many entrepreneurs focus on growing revenue and serving customers, they often overlook the financial foundation required to become truly bankable. I explain why relying on personal credit cards can hurt your credit score, limit your access to funding, and create unnecessary obstacles to scaling your business. I share real-world examples of business owners who generated significant revenue but still struggled to qualify for financing because they had not properly established business credit. Throughout the episode, I break down the key differences between personal and business credit, explain how lenders evaluate both, and reveal the critical scores that can determine whether your business receives funding or gets turned away. I also discuss the importance of credit utilization, payment history, and building the right financial structure from the beginning. You'll learn practical steps to establish a business credit profile, why having an LLC, EIN, business bank account, and vendor accounts matters, and how these foundational elements work together to build lender confidence. Beyond business credit, I explore the long-term impact of interest rates, financial discipline, and wealth-building habits. I explain how improving your credit can save thousands of dollars over time, why delayed gratification is essential for financial success, and how redirecting money from unnecessary interest payments into investments can dramatically change your financial future. Whether you're starting a new business, looking to grow an existing company, or simply want to gain a deeper understanding of how credit affects your opportunities, this episode provides the insights and strategies you need to build a stronger financial foundation, access better funding options, and create lasting wealth.  Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to keep going and rise again.  Connect with me: @micahabigailllc | @rebuildandrisepodcast | @fitcreditdoctor  Listen now on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio  New episodes every Wednesday at 5:00 AM EST  Visit: micahabigail.com [http://micahabigail.com/]

You're Paying Rent and Getting Nothing for It — Here's the Fix

In this episode of the Rebuild and Rise Podcast, I sit down with Cullen Canazares, the innovative CEO of Rental Kharma, to discuss a powerful financial strategy that could completely change the way you build credit. We dive into the growing impact of rent reporting and how something as simple as your monthly rent payment could help boost your credit score and open doors to your future opportunities. For years, I’ve heard from so many renters who feel completely frustrated knowing they consistently pay one of their biggest monthly expenses on time, yet receive little to no credit benefit from it. Cullen explains to me how reporting your rental payment history can potentially add up to 40 points to your credit score in just a matter of months. As a credit furnisher, he also shares a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective with me on how this process works and why it can be significantly more effective than traditional credit repair methods. Throughout our conversation, we explore the importance of credit age, how utility bills can influence your credit profile, and the common misconceptions surrounding credit utilization and managing credit cards. Cullen breaks down practical steps you can take to get your rent reported, regardless of how you currently pay, while also highlighting major industry shifts that are making homeownership more accessible than ever before. Beyond the financial insights, Cullen shares his inspiring personal journey with me—from humble beginnings to becoming a leader in the credit solutions space. His story deeply resonated with me, and it's a powerful reminder that rebuilding your financial future is entirely possible with the right knowledge, strategy, and persistence. Whether you're a renter hoping to buy a home someday, someone looking to improve your credit score, or simply curious about how the credit system works, this episode is packed with valuable insights I designed to help you stay informed and move forward with confidence. Tune in with me and discover why reporting your rent may be one of the smartest financial decisions you can make this year. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to keep going and rise again. 📍 Visit: Rental Kharma at www.rentalkharma.com 📍 Connect with me: @micahabigailllc | @rebuildandrisepodcast | @fitcreditdoctor 🎧 Listen now on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeartRadio 📆 New episodes every Wednesday at 5:00 AM EST 🌐 Visit: micahabigail.com